The first, and only, presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump was held by ABC on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Both Trump and Harris had a lot to lose going into this debate. Having only recently formally accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in August following Biden’s decision to step down, Vice President Harris hoped to use the debate as an opportunity to officially outline her plans for her presidency and appeal to the American people. Trump, on the other hand, hoped to turn the tides against Harris. Quickly, however, the debate became marked by falsified rumors and attacks from both sides of the stage.
Vice President Harris’ success in the debate was heavily dependent on how well she could clearly define her policy stances. Harris focused largely on her economic platforms, promising to address the increasingly precarious housing crisis Americans face, as well as the steadily rising prices that disproportionately impact lower and middle-class households.
Trump’s performance throughout the debate was tainted by his continued false claims and accusations. In discussing abortion access across the country, Vice President Harris expressed her and running mate Tim Walz’s unwavering support for abortion access and the reinstatement of Roe v. Wade protections. In response to that, Trump claimed that Harris and Walz, and the Democratic party at large, support “post-birth” abortions. This is a sweeping misrepresentation of facts, which Harris was quick to point out. Trump also made the provably false and damaging assertion that Haitian immigrants in the city of Springfield, Ohio were “eating the pets of the people that live there.” Vice President Harris was able to use Trump’s falsehoods regarding immigration and several other issues not only as a way to discredit him, but also to make clear her positions on these incredibly pressing issues.
Although debates don’t always have the most sway on voter behavior come election time, this particular debate became much more of a make-or-break decision for the voting public because of how close Harris and Trump were polling beforehand. Post-debate polling suggests that Americans do see Vice President Harris as the “winner,” giving her a five point lead over Trump, polling at 47% to Trump’s 42%.
mkane10@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @saulloeb, Instagram
